The Latest Breaking News from Omicron

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County has identified its first cases of an emerging omicron coronavirus subvariant dubbed Arcturus, a strain global health authorities are watching closely as it has been linked to an upswing in cases in India.

Thailand recently reported 27 cases of the new Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16, prompting authorities to monitor its transmission speed and the ease with which it can escape people's ability to handle the virus in the wake of months, if not years, of vaccines and herd immunity.

Arcturus, which is a subvariant of Omicron, was first seen in India and has been on the World Health Organisation's watchlist since the end of March.

An elderly man in Thailand who is yet unnamed is the first reported death from the Omicron subvariant.

U.S. regulators have authorized a second round of omicron-targeted boosters for individuals older than 65 and those with weakened immune systems.

The latest Covid strain, said to be an Omicron sub-variant, Arcturus, may be up to 1.2 times more infectious that previous sub-variants, according to researchers.

'Arcturus' could potentially be 1.2 times more infectious than the most recent sub-variant of Omicron

Health officials nationwide have been ordered to watch for new Covid-19 outbreaks and clusters, and prepare medication and equipment for inpatients, in the wake of Songkran festivities.

'We need more investment in surveillance of the virus'

"We need more investment in surveillance of the virus"

Known as Arcturus, the latest strain of the virus was first identified in January and it is understood to be more infectious than the most recent sub-variant of Omicron.